Evergreen is often missed by out-of-state travelers to Montana. But the small community, which is nestled in the scenic Flathead Valley less than an hour from Glacier National Park, has its own charm.
Part of the larger city of Kalispell, Evergreen is home to a decent nightlife scene, boasting a selection of hotspots where you can quench your thirst and mingle with locals.
Many of the best bars in Evergreen are casual and friendly, offering old-fashioned personable service and a wide range of drinks. Local Montana brews feature at the majority of the bars, along with impressive lists of wines and spirits.
Downtown Kalispell is less than a 10-minute drive from Evergreen, making it easy for travelers to explore an even broader variety of bars and lounges.
For our definitive list of the best bars in Evergreen, Montana, keep reading!
Travel Tips for Drinking in Evergreen
Buying alcohol under the age of 21 is illegal in Montana. The same laws apply to both residents and tourists.
While those under 21 are often legally allowed to be on the premises where drinks are served, they aren’t allowed to consume alcoholic drinks unless bought by a parent or guardian and consumed in a private setting, where alcohol is not sold.
Alcohol cannot be sold in Montana between the hours of 2 a.m. and 8 a.m., which is when the majority of bars in the area will close.
Most bars sell a large selection of drinks, from high-end cocktails to locally brewed beer. The most popular cocktail in the state is the Moscow Mule, which is made with vodka, lime juice, ginger, beer, and a wedge of lime.
If you’re in the mood to sample some Montana-produced brews, you can’t go past Cold Smoke Scotch Ale from KettleHouse Brewing, Ivan the Terrible Imperial Stout from Big Sky Brewing, and Prickly Pear Pale Ale from Lewis and Clark Brewing.
The 6 Best Bars in Evergreen
- Whitefish Handcrafted Spirits
- Rainbow Bar & Casino
- Los Caporales
- Scoreboard Sports Bar & Casino
- Waters Edge Winery & Bistro Kalispell
- Sacred Waters Brewing Company
1. Whitefish Handcrafted Spirits – Kalispell – $$
The Whitefish distillery is a local gem, famous for carefully handcrafting their own spirits. Their process involves distilling, tasting, and tweaking until the end result is perfect and ready to send out into the world.
Open from noon to 8 p.m. Thursday through Friday, the distillery offers tastings and purchases and also operates as a cocktail bar serving lunch and dinner.
Though drinks are their main game, the food menu is surprisingly extensive, featuring everything from soups and salads to pasta and burgers. They also offer delivery and kerbside pickup.
Some of the distillery’s most popular spirits include Orange Clove Rum, Cranberry Moon, and Botanical Gin. Also be sure to try some local specialties: Montana Wheat Vodka and Huckleberry Liquor.
2. Rainbow Bar & Casino – Kalispell – $
Famed as one of the longest-standing bars in the Flathead Valley, the Rainbow Bar & Casino prides itself on serving up the best drinks in town.
Boasting a fun and welcoming atmosphere, the bar is the perfect place to kick back with a beer and enjoy watching the game.
The bar itself has been in operation for more than 70 years and now features 11 HD televisions screening all major sporting events. The casino also offers interactive games, including a pool table and darts, plus lottery and scratch tickets are up for grabs.
The Rainbow runs Happy Hour every day between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m., making it one of the most affordable drinking experiences in Evergreen. It’s open every day from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m.
3. Los Caporales – Kalispell – $$
First and foremost, Los Caporales is a highly rated authentic Mexican restaurant located on Evergreen’s main street.
But the business also has an extensive drinks list and operates as a lounge, full-service bar, and casino. They have been running for nearly 20 years and promise friendly service and old-fashioned hospitality.
Los Caporales has a distinctly different feel from many of the other bars in the area. With Mexican décor and artwork, patrons feel like they’ve landed south of the border rather than in a saloon from the days of the Old West.
In addition to its casino, Los Caporales offers an entertaining atmosphere through various celebrations throughout the year.
Games, giveaways, and food and drinks specials are frequently offered in accordance with holidays like Cinco de Mayo, so do check the calendar before you schedule your visit.
4. Scoreboard Sports Bar & Casino – Kalispell – $
The perfect location to relax and watch live sports with other passionate patrons, the Scoreboard Sports Bar is located just minutes from Evergreen, close to the Kalispell city center. They offer a selection of drinks and a casual vibe where guests can take a load off.
First established in 1980, the bar has a reputation for serving as the location “where friendships begin”.
For those looking for a little fun, Scoreboard runs regular karaoke contests, along with normal karaoke, and a game of bingo every Wednesday. As part of the casino, they also offer games of poker and keno.
The bar serves a light food menu, featuring favorites like nachos, sandwiches, burgers, and pizza, and is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Visit them during their opening hours, every day from 9 a.m. (8 a.m. on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday). They close every night at 2 a.m.
5. Waters Edge Winery & Bistro Kalispell – Kalispell – $$
Located in Evergreen, Waters Edge Winery & Bistro is an ideal destination for a lazy summer afternoon in the Flathead Valley.
Serving a notable menu of local wines, which have been produced using grapes from all over the world, Waters Edge offers a tranquil and relaxed setting where patrons can chill out and enjoy a drink.
The drinks list includes a large collection of red, white, sweet, and dessert wines. There are two varieties of cider and combination boards that allow patrons to sample different wines. The menu also suggests the best pairings between the wines and the food items.
Waters Edge is open until 8 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and until 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. The winery is a beloved hotspot for both day and night drinking, serving drinks with both lunch and dinner.
It has also been named the Best Winery in the Flathead Valley!
6. Sacred Waters Brewing Company – Kalispell – $$
A home-grown craft brewing company with a bustling taphouse, Sacred Waters is a top spot to sample the finest beer that Montana has to offer.
Inside and outside seating are available at the establishment, which is open seven days a week, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
All the beer at Sacred Waters Is produced from Montana Craft Malt, which comes directly from Great Falls. Some of the most popular varieties to look out for are The Bob, India Pale Ale, Party Fedora Barrel-Aged Sour, and Glacier Rim Pilsner. They also serve a delicious selection of local wines and cider.
Sacred Waters serves hearty pub fare with their drinks list, including classics like fish and chips and baskets of fries.
They also regularly hold events, such as trivia nights and live music performed by local artists. Owned by Montanans, the brewery is definitely a great place to visit if you’d like to support local.